JP2000217194A - Hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an electroacoustic transducing device with which highly efficient output can be obtained without delivering vibration externally, even if an amplitude of an input signal is increased. SOLUTION: A subtonic part 6 is formed, by placing two transducer elements A, B consisting of diaphragms 3a, 3b that generate air vibration through the vibration and of drive section 4a, 4b that drive the diaphragms 3a, 3b with an electric signal, while the diaphragms 3a, 3b are made to face each other. The drive sections 4a, 4b drive the diaphragms 3a, 3b symmetrically with the same electric signal. That is, when the drive section 4a vibrates the diaphragm 3a toward the subtonic part 6, the drive section 4b vibrates the diaphragm 3b toward the subtonic part 6. Thus, shifting of the gravity center is cancelled, and no vibration takes place.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electroacoustic transducer for converting an input electric signal into air vibration such as sound.

[0002]

An electroacoustic transducer used for a receiver or the like of a hearing aid includes a set of a vibrating plate for generating sound by vibrating and a driving unit for driving the vibrating plate by an electric signal. The driving unit vibrates the diaphragm back and forth in response to the generated electric signal to generate sound.

However, in a conventional electro-acoustic generator having such a structure, when an electric signal is converted into sound, the center of gravity moves due to the vibration of a diaphragm or a driving section, and the entire apparatus vibrates. There is a problem that it is transmitted to. This means that a part of the input electric signal is consumed by the vibration of the device, which is an output loss.

[0004] Further, in a case where a microphone and a receiver (an electroacoustic transducer) are combined with each other and attached to an ear, such as an earphone microphone of a hearing aid, when the power of an electric signal input to the receiver is increased, the vibration is reduced. However, there is an inconvenience that a phenomenon such as howling occurs when transmitted to the microphone.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electroacoustic transducer capable of obtaining a highly efficient output without transmitting vibrations to the outside even if the input signal is increased.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electroacoustic transducer for converting an input electric signal into air vibration, wherein the vibrating plate generates air vibration by vibrating, and the vibration plate generates an electric signal. A plurality of conversion elements, each of which is constituted by a driving section driven by the above-described method, and each conversion element is arranged symmetrically with respect to one point, thereby forming a sound guide section around the one point.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, each of the conversion elements is arranged so that the diaphragm faces the one point, and a driving section of each conversion element is symmetrical with respect to the one point. It is a circuit for driving a diaphragm.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the sound guide section is divided for each conversion element.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an electroacoustic transducer and a microphone according to any one of the first to third aspects are integrally provided in a wearing portion worn on a wearer's ear, and an input from the microphone is provided. The amplified signal is amplified and output from the electroacoustic transducer.

The conversion element includes a diaphragm and a drive unit, and converts an input electric signal into air vibration such as sound. This conversion is performed by reciprocating the diaphragm. 1
In the two conversion elements, the center of gravity shifts when the diaphragm vibrates. Therefore, by disposing a plurality of vibrating elements symmetrically with respect to one point (the center of gravity of the apparatus), the movement of the entire center of gravity is canceled so that no vibration occurs. Here, symmetric means point-symmetric with respect to the center of gravity when the number of conversion elements is even, and line-symmetric with respect to one straight line passing through the center of gravity when the number of conversion elements is odd. Meaning. By arranging in this manner, the forces due to the movement of the center of gravity of each element are balanced, and no vibration is generated in the entire apparatus.

By arranging the elements at appropriate intervals, a space can be formed near the center of gravity.
Since the diaphragm of each conversion element is arranged toward the center of gravity, the wall of the space is formed by the diaphragm. As a result, this space serves as a sound guide section for concentrating air vibrations from all the diaphragms, and a large output can be obtained using a plurality of small conversion elements.

The sound guide may be provided commonly to all the conversion elements, or may be divided for each conversion element. By dividing the sound guide section, a conversion element including the sound guide section is assembled in advance, and a plurality of the conversion elements are connected to form the electroacoustic transducer of the present invention.

By canceling the vibration in this manner, even if the electroacoustic transducer of the present invention and the microphone are integrated into an earphone microphone or the like, the vibration of the electroacoustic transducer is not transmitted to the microphone, and no howling occurs.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electroacoustic transducer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electroacoustic transducer according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows an example in which two conversion elements A and B are symmetrically arranged inside a case 2 so as to face each other. The case 2 is made of a rigid material such as a metal. Each of the conversion elements A and B has diaphragms 3a and 3b and drive units 4a and 4b, respectively. The diaphragms 3a and 3b are made of titanium, carbon, aluminum,
It is composed of a lightweight, high-rigidity thin plate such as ceramic or a honeycomb structure.

The diaphragms 3a and 3b are provided to face each other at a predetermined distance, and the space between the diaphragms 3a and 3b is a sound guide 6. Although not shown, the front and rear portions of the sound guide portion 6 are separated from the outside by the case 2, and an opening portion 20 is formed only above.

The diaphragms 3a and 3b are made of an elastic material such as rubber or dampers 5a and 5a which are structurally elastic.
5b, the sound guide unit 6 and the drive unit 4
The space with a and 4b is shielded.

The accumulator of the driving section 4a is connected to the diaphragm 3a, and the accumulator of the driving section 4b is connected to the diaphragm 3b. The driving units 4a and 4b are driven in the same phase by the same electric signal. That is, when the drive unit 4a vibrates the diaphragm 3a toward the sound guide unit 6, the drive unit 4b also vibrates the diaphragm 3b toward the sound guide unit 6, and the drive unit 4b
When a vibrates the diaphragm 3a to its own side, the driving unit 4
b also causes the diaphragm 3b to vibrate to its own side.

As a result, the vibrations of the diaphragm 3a and the diaphragm 3b are bilaterally symmetric, and the vibrations of the diaphragms 3a and 3b cancel each other, and no vibration (movement of the center of gravity) occurs. Further, the sound guide 6
The change in the internal volume (pressure change) is doubled due to the synergistic effect of the diaphragms 3a and 3b, and a large and small output can be obtained. The pressure change generated inside the sound guide section 6 is transmitted to the outside from the opening section 20 as air vibration (sound).

FIG. 2 shows an example of a hearing aid using the electroacoustic transducer. This hearing aid includes an earphone microphone 10 and a signal processing circuit 13. Earphone microphone 10
Is a device worn by the wearer on the ear, provided with the electroacoustic transducer (receiver) 1 on the side of the earpiece 11 inserted into the ear canal of the wearer, and provided with the microphone 12 on the outside. . In the case of a hearing aid, an earphone microphone 10 integrated with a microphone and a receiver is used in order to collect a foreign sound as close as possible to the actual hearing by installing a microphone near the wearer's ear.

The signal collected by the microphone 12 is input to a signal processing circuit 13. The signal processing circuit may be a circuit that merely amplifies this signal, or may be configured by a speech speed conversion circuit and an amplification circuit. Signal processing circuit 13
Is input to the receiver 1 and output to the ear canal as sound.

The audio signal (electric signal) input to the receiver 1 is amplified to about several hundred milliwatts. However, by applying the electroacoustic transducer having the configuration shown in FIG. If no sound goes around the microphone 12 and there is no sound leakage from the external auditory canal, there is no possibility of a howling state.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In this embodiment,
The conversion elements A and B are housed in separate cases 2a and 2b, respectively, and the sound guide is also divided into two parts 6a and 6b. Then, these two conversion elements A and B
Are joined. The joint is fixed to a rigid body with, for example, an adhesive.

As described above, since each transducer is housed in a separate case, it is possible to manufacture the transducer in units of transducers and combine them to constitute the electroacoustic transducer of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, an electroacoustic transducer constituted by combining two transducers has been described. However, an electroacoustic transducer may be constituted by combining three or more transducers. FIG. 4 shows an example in which three conversion elements are combined. The conversion elements A, B, and C are arranged in an equilateral triangle with the diaphragm 3 facing the center of gravity G, and the space of the triangle serves as a sound guide. Even when four or more conversion elements are combined, the electroacoustic conversion device of the present invention can be similarly configured by forming the shape of the internal space into an appropriate polygon.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, an assembly made up of a single conversion element may be configured as shown in FIG.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when a large electric signal is input, the movements of the centers of gravity of the respective conversion elements cancel each other and the centers of gravity do not move, and no mechanical vibration occurs. And howling does not occur even when combined with a microphone such as an earphone microphone.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of an electroacoustic transducer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a hearing aid using the electroacoustic transducer.

FIG. 3 is a structural view of an electroacoustic transducer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of an electroacoustic transducer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electroacoustic converter (receiver), A, B, C ... Conversion element, 2 (2a, 2b) ... Case, 3a, 3b ... Diaphragm, 4a, 4b ... Drive part, 5a, 5b ... Damper, 6 ( 6
a, 6b) ... sound guide part, 8 ... joint part, 20 ... opening part 10 ... earphone microphone, 11 ... earpiece part, 12 ... microphone,
13 ... Signal processing circuit

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission Date] November 26, 1999 (1999.11.
26)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Name of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Title of the Invention] Hearing aid

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0001

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hearing aid for converting an input electric signal into air vibration such as sound.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0005

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hearing aid in which vibration is not transmitted to the outside even if the input signal is increased and howling does not occur .

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION claim 1 invention includes a plurality of transducers comprising a driving unit for driving the electric signal diaphragm and said diaphragm for generating air vibrations by vibration, each transducer by arranged symmetrically with respect to one point device, hearing the formation beneath electrical acoustic converter the sound guide portion around the one point is attached to the wearer's ear with the microphone
Provided in the main body of the instrument, and the electroacoustic transducer is connected to the external auditory canal of a wearer.
Attach to the hearing aid ear side inserted into the
When wearing the hearing aid, place it in a position on the outside of the hearing aid body.
Attach and amplify the audio signal input from the microphone
Output from the electroacoustic transducer
It is characterized by.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The conversion element includes a diaphragm and a drive unit, and converts an input electric signal into air vibration such as sound. This conversion is performed by reciprocating the diaphragm. 1
In the two conversion elements, the center of gravity shifts when the diaphragm vibrates. Therefore, by disposing a plurality of vibrating elements symmetrically with respect to one point (the center of gravity of the apparatus), the movement of the entire center of gravity is canceled so that no vibration occurs. Here, symmetric means point-symmetric with respect to the center of gravity when the number of conversion elements is even, and line-symmetric with respect to one straight line passing through the center of gravity when the number of conversion elements is odd. Meaning. By arranging in this manner, the forces due to the movement of the center of gravity of each element are balanced, and no vibration is generated in the entire apparatus. The invention
Then, such an electroacoustic transducer is complemented with a microphone.
It is installed on the main body of the hearing instrument,
Attached to the hearing aid side inserted in the ear canal of the
Position the microphone on the outside of the hearing aid body when wearing the hearing aid
Audio signal input from the microphone
Signal and output it from the electroacoustic transducer.
The sound output from the electroacoustic transducer
The sound output is transmitted as vibration to the hearing aid
To prevent transmission to the public.

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0015

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 1 shows a hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure showing the electroacoustic transducer used . This embodiment shows an example in which two conversion elements A and B are symmetrically arranged inside a case 2 so as to face each other. The case 2 is made of a rigid material such as a metal. Each of the conversion elements A and B includes a diaphragm 3a, 3b and a driving unit 4 respectively.
a, 4b. The diaphragms 3a and 3b are made of titanium,
It is composed of a lightweight, high-rigidity thin plate of carbon, aluminum, ceramic, or the like, or a honeycomb structure.

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0024

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

As described above, since each conversion element is housed in a separate case, it is possible to manufacture the conversion element unit and combine them to form the electroacoustic conversion device for a hearing aid of the present invention.

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 7, 2000 (200.3.7)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of conversion elements each including a vibration plate that generates air vibration by vibrating and a driving unit that drives the vibration plate by an electric signal. and electroacoustic transducer forming the sound guide portion around the central axis by arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the plurality of conversion elements, an external audio signal input
A microphone to be mounted on the hearing aid body attached to the wearer's ear, and the electroacoustic transducer is attached to the hearing aid wearing part side inserted into the external auditory canal of the wearer, and the microphone is used when the hearing aid is worn. At the position on the outside world of
Further, the audio signal input from the microphone is amplified and output from the electroacoustic transducer.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0007

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, each of the conversion elements is arranged so that the diaphragm faces the central axis, and a driving section of each of the conversion elements is symmetrical with respect to the central axis . It is a circuit for driving a diaphragm.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akira Miki 10-1, Nakazawa-cho, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka Yamaha Corporation (72) Inventor Koji Tanitaka 10-1, Nakazawa-cho, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka Yamaha Corporation (72) Inventor Hiroshi Owaki 10-1 Nakazawa-cho, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture Inside Yamaha Corporation (72) Inventor Koichi Kawamoto 10-1 Nakazawa-cho, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture F-term in Yamaha Corporation (Reference) 5D012 BC06 BD04 CA01 DA03

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electroacoustic transducer for converting an input electric signal into air vibration, comprising: a plurality of transducers each including a vibration plate that generates air vibration by vibrating; and a drive unit that drives the vibration plate with the electric signal. By arranging each conversion element symmetrically with respect to one point,
An electroacoustic transducer, wherein a sound guide portion is formed around the one point. 2. The conversion device according to claim 1, wherein each of the conversion elements is arranged so that the diaphragm faces the one point, and a driving unit of each conversion element is a circuit that drives the vibration plate symmetrically with respect to the one point. An electroacoustic transducer according to any one of the preceding claims. 3. The electroacoustic transducer according to claim 1, wherein the sound guide section is divided for each conversion element. 4. An electroacoustic transducer according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and a microphone are integrally provided in a wearing part worn on a wearer's ear, and an audio signal input from the microphone is provided. A hearing aid for amplifying and outputting from the electroacoustic transducer.